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Murray progresses, but Radwanska crashes out

Russia's Ekaterina Makarova sent former finalist Agnieszka Radwanska crashing to a surprise 6-3, 6-0 exit at Wimbledon this morning (Singapore time), while giant-killer Barbora Zahlavova Strycova led a triple Czech charge into the quarter-finals.

Makarova, the 22nd seed, had never been past the third round in her six previous appearances at Wimbledon, while Polish fourth seed Radwanska made the final in 2012, losing to Serena Williams, and then in the last four 12 months ago.

But the 26-year-old Makarova, a quarter-finalist at the Australian and French Opens last year, destroyed world No. 4 Radwanska on Court Three, and will play Czech 23rd seed Lucie Safarova for a place in the semi-finals.

Radwanska's exit means three of the top four seeds have been eliminated from the women's draw, following the defeats of Williams and Li Na.

New title favourite, 2004 champion Maria Sharapova will have to return today to play her last-16 tie against Germany's Angelique Kerber, after heavy afternoon rain persuaded organisers there would not be time to complete the match.

Three of the women's last-16 matches will be played today alongside two quarter-final matches, with the other two last-eight fixtures to be staged tomorrow.

Strycova moved into the last eight with a 6-2, 7-5 victory against Caroline Wozniacki.

Strycova, the world No. 43, had enjoyed the best win of her career in the previous round, when she defeated Chinese second seed Li.

She added Danish 16th-seed Wozniacki to her list of upsets, as she move into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time at the 32nd attempt.

The 28-year-old, who served a six-month ban for doping last year, will play compatriot Petra Kvitova, who routed world No. 61 Peng Shuai of China 6-3, 6-2 for a place in the semi-finals.

REVIVAL

Asked about her revival after the drug suspension, Strycova admitted that she almost quit after testing positive for banned stimulant sibutramine at the 2012 Luxembourg Open.

"I didn't want to play again because I felt like it's a little bit unfair," she said.

"In the first two months, I didn't want to come back. It was tough, but on the other hand, it also brings me some positive things.

"I am seeing the sport a little bit different now. And here I am."

In the men's draw, defending champion Andy Murray was made to work for his place in the quarter-finals, despite a straight-set win over Kevin Anderson this morning.

The British third seed was tested by the big-serving South African, but ultimately triumphed 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in a match on Centre Court completed under the roof.

Murray next faces Bulgarian 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov tomorrow for a place in the semi-finals.

"I knew I was going to get tested at some stage," Murray said.

"I was pushed, especially in the middle part of that second set, then obviously later on in the third there were some tight moments. But I handled them fairly well. It was a good match."

Murray leads his next opponent, the up-and-coming Dimitrov, 3-1 in career meetings.

"All the matches are tough, everyone in the quarter-finals of the Slams is playing top tennis," the 27-year-old Murray said.

"I have to concentrate on my side of the court and, if I play well, I will make it tough." - AFP.

What's gone

Men's singles 4th rd

  • Andy Murray (x3) bt Kevin Anderson (x20) 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6)
  • Grigor Dimitrov (x11) bt Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2
  • Marin Cilic (x26) bt Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-4

3rd rd

  • Stanislas Wawrinka (x5) bt Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
  • Kei Nishikori (x10) bt Simone Bolelli 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4
  • Feliciano Lopez (x19) bt John Isner (x9) 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3), 7-5

Women's singles 4th rd

  • Petra Kvitova (x6) bt Peng Shuai 6-3, 6-2
  • Eugenie Bouchard (x13) bt Alize Cornet (x25) 7-6 (7/5), 7-5
  • Barbora Zahlavova Strycova bt Caroline Wozniacki (x16) 6-2, 7-5

3rd rd

  • Sabine Lisicki (x19) bt Ana Ivanovic (x11) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
  • Ekaterina Makarova (x22) bt Agnieszka Radwanska (x4) 6-3, 6-0
  • Lucie Safarova (x23) bt Tereza Smitkova 6-0, 6-2
  • Yaroslava Shvedova bt Madison Keys 7-6 (9/7), 6-6 - retired.